Pallet formed from two spaced, interlocking sheets of corrugated paperboard and rigid sleeves
AssigneeChampion International Corporation
InventorRobert L. Moore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a pallet constructed of paperboard material which is preferably water resistant. Two sheets of corrugated paperboard which are cut to define interlocking tabs are spaced in parallel relationship by a plurality of cylindrical sleeves, or rectangular corrguated tubes. The tabs are bent perpendicular to the sheets. Slots in tabs in one sheet interlock with slots in opposed tabs in the other sheet. The cylindrical sleeves or rectangular tubes surround the tabs to thereby provide lateral stability as well as vertical strength. Preferably, the corrugated paperboard sheets are impregnated with a waterproofing material such as wax, and the cylindrical sleeves are constructed of spirally-wound paperboard, or, alternatively are in the form of corrugated tubes.
Claims14
A pallet comprising:
- (a) a first sheet of corrugated paperboard which is cut to define a first set of tabs hinged to said first sheet about fold lines, each tab having a slot which extends from a cut end toward the fold line;
- (b) a second sheet of corrugated paperboard placed in parallel, spaced relation to said first sheet, said second sheet being cut to define a second set of tabs hinged to said second sheet along fold lines perpendicular to the fold lines in said first sheet, each tab in said second set having a slot which extends from a cut end toward the fold line, wherein the slots in the tabs in said first set are aligned and engaged with the slots in opposed tabs in said second set;
- and
- (c) a plurality of rigid sleeves, positioned between said first and second sheets and surrounding engaged pairs of opposed tabs, with the opposed ends of said sleeves functioning as load bearing surfaces, and wherein the width of each said first and second set of tabs adjacent its respective fold line is less than the width of the tab adjacent the cut ends thereof, such that more than one half of each said load bearing ends of said rigid sleeve is disposed contiguous with a sheet whereby the bearing capacity of said pallet is increased.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.